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Why Study Green Jobs? Businesses and workers are changing their practices to address the rising costs for energy and ecological services – Short supply of resources – Greater recognition of the value of ecological services – Technology to better “measure” the use of natural resources so that property rights can be established and prices can be charged

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Why Study Green Jobs? Green jobs are not a new phenomenon, but part of the ever-developing process to make production – more efficient, – reduce costs, and – eliminate unnecessary waste in order to make business more profitable.

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Green Jobs are Changing the Skill Set Needed for Jobs Consortium aimed to answer the questions: What are the characteristics of green jobs? What are the skills needed for green jobs? How do we need to change our education and training systems to prepare our workers for jobs?

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What is a Green Job? Green jobs are jobs where the work activity aids in – environmental mitigation, protection, or restoration – renewable energy generation – conservation of energy or other resources – support services for the above, like education or certification

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What is a Green Job? Green Jobs are found in nearly every industry Renewable Energy Restoration / Remediation Construction Oil and Gas Health Care Hospitality Government Regulation

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The concept of green is … Mutable: It changes with technology or knowledge improvements. Relational: The job is more green than other industries, old practices, or other options. Nebulous: We all understand the general concept, but it is difficult to draw the line needed to quantify the number of green jobs.

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Consortium’s Definition of a Green Job A green job is one in which the work is essential to products or services that improve energy efficiency, expand the use of renewable energy, or support environmental sustainability, including work in: – Renewable Energy and Alternative Fuels – Energy Efficiency and Conservation – Pollution, Waste, and Greenhouse Gas Management, Prevention, and Reduction – Environmental Cleanup, Remediation, Waste Clean-up, Mitigation, or Restoration – Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Conservation – Education, Regulation, Compliance, Public Awareness, Training, or Energy Trading

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How our Definition is Different From Other Research Included government regulators as green jobs Hydroelectric dams were considered green Green jobs could be in EVERY industry, including Mining (restoration experts and water pollution mitigation) Oil and Gas (environmental engineers and hydrologists) Biofuels and biomass (forestry and ethanol production)

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Why do we need a Survey to Count Green Jobs? its not as easy as one might think… Green Jobs Oil and Gas Environmental Engineers Renewable Energy Administrative support Construction Plumbers Urban Bus Systems Janitors

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Literature Review Results in other states generally find 3 to 5% green jobs Survey results show higher percentages than those identifying green businesses, industries, or occupations Many exclude industries, such as government or mining Most Green Jobs are found in Construction and Agriculture Industries Construction and Production Occupations No “new” occupations – all can be categorized into existing taxonomies

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Consortium Differed From Other States Did not exclude any industry or occupation Attempted to exclude green practices, such as recycling – the work had to be essential to the production of a green product Consistent survey and data collection throughout the consortium for comparable results

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3.5% Green Jobs in Consortium States Margin of Error for Consortium Estimate is 0.3% at the 95% Confidence Level

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Occupations with the Most Green Jobs 15.8%Production Workers, All Other 24.5Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics 32.9Electricians 42.6Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers 52.2Retail Salespersons 62.1Janitors and Cleaners 72.0Maintenance and Repair Workers, General 82.0Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs 91.8Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers 101.6Water and Liquid Waste Treatment Plant and System Operators

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Conclusions from Survey Green percent consistent with other research, but differs between consortium states Industry and occupational breakdown consistent with other states Some “new” occupations in sustainability manager, water treatment specialist, but all could be included in current taxonomy

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Conclusions from Survey 18% of businesses report being in some type of green industry More report green activities, such as recycling, adopting energy efficient practices, etc

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Conclusions from Survey Labor Market Information Improvement Grant Improved the knowledge and skills of LMI researchers Allowed for knowledge and technology transfer between states Resulted in economic information about green jobs and more